The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-01-14
WE MUST HAVE HIGH I1orNsn.


In Tuesdays Pioneer Press We find q
most excellent editorial on the high IL
cense question, and 80 well does il meet
our views that we take pride in repro
ducing it verbatim:
No more impressive duty rests upon
the legislature now about to begin the
labors of a session than the passage of a
high license law for Minnesota. There
is every indication that the members
appreciate this fact. Let It not appear
that any influences which may be
brought to bear can make them falter in
their performance of what they owe to
the public. The last time that the rep
resentatives of the State met here there
was a Istrange fatality which followed
proposed high license legislation. The
sentiment In its favor in the community,
though nothing to compare to what it is
to-day, was decided. The opinions Of
representatives themselves indicated
that the law would pass. 1t is not nee
essary to inquire the reason, but the
fact is that the bill for this purpose was
one of those which persisted in an APP
parently inscrutable sort of way, with
out anybody holding himself RESPONSE
BILE. This ID something which must not
happen again.
The situation is now very different.
In the two years that have elapsed since
the last legislature convened, the high
license sentiment has spread end deep
ened until II became leading issue.
Discussions from pulpit and platform
have educated public opinion as to the
need and the practical wisdom of the
measure. Other states since then have
prospered With similar legislation. i:
has been tried by cities within the State,
and with the happiest results. And,
election in which the high license prin-
ciple. distinctly and boldly STA
ted, played a conspicuous part. There
is not u member elected by Republican
votes who can be entirely faithful TO his
party il he evades or denies this issue,
The Republican State convention, in
framing platform on which this cleo
ton should be fought out, considered
most carefully the high license issue.
The friends of prohibition were siren
nous in urging that their doctrine should
find place in the Republican declara-
ton of principles, at least III 80 far as to
consent to the submission of 0 prohihi-
ton constitutional amendment to the
people. The representatives of the Re-
publican party were not unmindfui OF
the evils inseparable from the present
conduct of the liquor traffic. They did
not forget their duty toward the public.
They were not insensible to the growth
of temperance feeling in Minnesota.
And, after careful consideration, they
: adopted the high license platform as one
. upon which all could unite. IT was a
: policy not without Its sacrifices. Itsout.
spoken advocacy of this principle cost
the Republican party many votes in
: November. But it was right, and it won
, The people are In no mind to lose the
fruits of that victory.
Merely from a party point of view, the
. failure to pass high license law at this
{ session would be deplorable. Never
again would the elements which united
to keep intact the Republican legislature
l be found upon its side. The temper
= ance feeling is not only strong one, bu
. it is growing one. Time and agair
: American communities have shown tina
I they are not inseEsible to moral issues
{ The lessening of the evils of the liquo
traffic they regard as such an issue, anC
one of the first magnitude. Let the mer
whom they have elected upon a higl
Q license platform prove false to their trus
J., this time, and the third party movement
s kept in check and foiled by this wis,
adoption of high license, would i'm
' mediately spring to a stature that SHOULD
g bewllder and confound the adherents o
: party The friends of temperance re
4 form, satisfied if Minnesota shall be per
united to give high license a trial, ar,
watching this legislature from thousand
q OF tiresides in this State. And the mel
4 ,hAh han hnn 90 10
q this pledge, express or implied, shoul'
remember the watchfulness of the peo
' pie and their own accountability. Inter
il views already had shown that the higl
! license sentiment is strong enough t
control the legislature. If every maj
who is bound to vote for such a bill il
l. true to himself and his constituents, i
q will go through. But the public mus
q remember that the fight against it will
. be bitter and powerful. The better elias
of saloonkeepers have dismissed most O
u their enmities. They realize that n
8 business which refuses to accept or ODE,
r the restraints of q reasonable law ca
continue to exist in an American state
But there are others still actuated b.
Is the old, unreasonable, suicidal determ
d NATION TO be a law unto themselves, an
# to resist to the uttermost any regulativ
measure. They will not be inactive
'' The lobby will be an influential one, an
3 certain of those who have freely de
d clared themselves for high license will
# before the end of the session, be skirm
>. ishing around for excuses for votin
% against it, or will find sudden bushes
e call elsewhere. The friends of high L
: cense must be alert and aggressive. Th
public welfare, the interests of goo
government, and the future success {
, the Republican party all demand th
|, enactment of high license law.